Considering the massive FUD-attack currently underway against Android vendors, this news doesn't come as a particular surprise: Google has announced plans to acquire Nortel's immense patent portfolio for defensive purposes. Google's blog post on the matter couldn't be more bitter and direct.

"I think you need to read and digest the spirit of the OIN cross-licensing agreements (reproduced above) before you sprout libellous rubbish like this.

But first, I must insist you get a dictionary or law book and read up on the term "libel". That will be all. "

Google is not a person ... right? OK, so libel is not the correct word ... but nevertheless you are still wrong.

So, anyway, back to the main point ... can you offer a single good reason why Microsoft and Apple should NOT join the OIN and save everybody, including themselves and literally billions of consumers, an absolute fortune and a great deal of angst?

The whole economoy would benefit through a reduction of deadweight losses through litigation costs.

A) They are ready to block competitors' innovation in the marketplace using said patents. Apple doesn't even pretend it will not do it. Microsoft is a bit more secretive, but still a bunch of pricks.
B) Market dominance and high income are very much their goals. Joining OIN, even with IBM there, is not valuable enough to them.